Pakistan, China term friendship ‘vital’ for regional peace, prosperity

Highlighting the salience of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday reaffirmed that the Pakistan-China friendship is vital for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and for the two countries.

The understanding came as the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan–China relations and discussed key issues at the regional and global levels. Views were exchanged on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges as well.

The Foreign Office (FO) said FM Dar and his Chinese counterpart also agreed to enhance coordination at bilateral and multilateral fora.

The two leaders agreed to befittingly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations as well.

At the invitation of the Chinese foreign minister, Dar is visiting Beijing to co-chair the 7th Round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

DPM Dar engaged in high-level discussions with senior Chinese officials in Beijing on Sunday.

According to a statement issued by the FO, Dar met Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.

The Chinese side also acknowledged Pakistan’s steadfast support on issues of core national interest.

The leaders underscored the historic milestone of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed to leverage this anniversary to set a forward-looking agenda for enhanced cooperation, particularly under the CPEC framework.

READ MORE: FM Dar arrives in China to co-chair Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue

Vice Premier Ding conveyed New Year greetings to the leadership and people of Pakistan, reflecting the strong bilateral rapport, the FO added.

In a separate engagement, Dar also met Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady trajectory of bilateral ties, reviewed party-to-party exchanges, regional developments, and progress on various CPEC projects.

Plans were also discussed to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in a “befitting and meaningful manner.”

Dar arrived in Beijing on Saturday to co-chair the strategic dialogue with FM Yi, which is expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and identify new areas of partnership.

The visit will also include events marking the start of year-long commemorations of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.